Davone Bess had better hold onto the football when the Ravens punt it to him Sunday, because the new guy is working to replace him.
Armanti Edwards, signed Tuesday, has a better chance of seeing the field as a punt returner than as a wide receiver. He was a third-round draft choice by the Carolina Panthers in 2010. He played in 39 games before being released on Oct. 8.
“It’s a new start, a fresh beginning,” Edwards said in the locker room before practice. “I’m just trying to have a huge impact at what I can do early. I was just waiting on my opportunity (in Carolina), and it never came. Hopefully, here I can get an opportunity as soon as possible and show them I belong.”
Edwards wasn’t tearing it up with the Panthers. He returned 36 punts for 253 yards (7.0 average) and 15 kickoffs for 295 yards (19.7 avg.) during his time in Carolina. He appeared in four games this year before being cut.
Browns coach Rob Chudzinski was Edwards’ offensive coordinator in Carolina in 2011 and 2012. Chudzinski believes Edwards can contribute.
“He’s a guy that I have familiarity with and has familiarity with the system,” Chudzinski said. “He can play multiple positions as a receiver. He’s been a punt returner and kickoff returner, as well. With losing (WR) Travis (Benjamin), he fills those roles for us.”
Benjamin, sixth in the league in punt returns, suffered a torn ACL in Kansas City and is out for the season.
Edwards caught only five passes while with Carolina. He is best known for being the Appalachian State quarterback of the team that upset Michigan in 2007.
“Michigan is a great win that the world knew, but people don’t realize I was part of two (Division I FCS) national championships,” Edwards said. “We lost only two conference games in my four years.
“It doesn’t really bother me. It’s a win that’s gone down in history. I’m just trying to make the point there are other things we’ve done.”
Edwards said switching to wide receiver in the NFL was a challenge. He never played receiver before, and now he is playing against the best cornerbacks in the world.
Sack attack
The Browns and Seahawks are tied for third in the NFL with 26 sacks. The Chiefs lead with 36, followed by the Bills with 27. The Ravens, Chiefs and Rams are bunched together with 25 sacks.
Rookie Barkevious Mingo leads the Browns with four sacks for 16 yards, followed by Desmond Bryant with 3.5 sacks.
History favors Ravens
The Ravens are coming off their bye, and that is a bad week to be facing them. They are 10-1 after their bye since 2002 and 5-0 after their bye since John Harbaugh arrived as coach in 2008.
Another late start
Kickoff on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium is 4:25 p.m. Kevin Harlan will do the play-by-play and Solomon Wilcots the commentary for the CBS telecast.
Injury report
Running back Willis McGahee was rested for practice for the third straight Thursday. Being fresh did not help him much last week. He rushed nine times for 28 yards.
Defensive end Billy Winn (quad) and linebacker Quentin Groves (ankle) were limited.

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About the Author

Jeff has covered the Cleveland Browns since 1981. He also covers the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League. Reach the author at jschudel@news-herald.com
or follow Jeff on Twitter: @jsbrownsinsider.